IPL 2022: Prithvi Shaw’s absence is affecting the team – Mohammad Kaif

Former Delhi Capitals fielding coach Mohammad Kaif reckons Prithvi Shaw’s absence is affecting the team. Shaw has been admitted to the hospital after he complained of high fever. The right-hander has now missed the last two matches of the team and in his absence, Mandeep Singh and KS Bharat had got a chance to open the innings with David Warner.

Meanwhile, Shaw is well known to hit the ground running as he can score runs at a high strike rate. Thus, Shaw and Warner form a potent opening alliance as both of them can score runs at a brisk pace.

Shaw has scored 259 runs in nine matches at an average of 28.78 and a strike rate of 159.87. Thus, he was providing a good start to his team and his services are surely missed by the franchise.

Furthermore, Delhi Capitals’ progress has been plagued by Covid-19 cases in their camp. In fact, one of their net bowlers tested positive before their clash against Chennai Super Kings.

Mohammad Kaif said while talking to Sportskeeda, “Delhi has been hit with a few issues. There have been COVID-related problems. A few players are unwell. Prithvi Shaw’s absence is also affecting the team because he is a retained player. With him not there, Delhi has struggled a bit.”

On the other hand, Delhi Capitals have been too dependent on the shoulders of David Warner to do the bulk of the scoring. Warner has amassed 375 runs in nine matches at an average of 53.75 and a strike rate of 156.90. However, the middle-order hasn’t been firing at full cylinders for DC.

“Overall, I feel they are depending a lot on David Warner. It’s almost like when Warner scores, the team wins. In the previous match, he did well and the team won the game. This will need to change.”

DC suffered a huge loss of 91 runs and Kaif believes such a big loss will dent their qualification chances and also their chances.

“Delhi still have three matches to go. If they win all three, they will stay in the qualification race as they will finish on 16 points. Of course, it also depends on how the other teams play. But the way they lost, it is very difficult to make comebacks from such situations. As a team, self-doubts creep in after such defeats. Fans will be really disappointed as they would not have expected such an effort.”

DC will next face Rajasthan Royals at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai on Wednesday.